Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
THE BOGOF BABY Surrogate mum will not take any money to give gay dads a second child
A SURROGATE mum is having a second baby for a gay male couple for free… because they are “such great dads”.
Becky Harris, 30, is entitled to charge up to £15,000 expenses under surrogacy laws, but is waiving all fees because she is so impressed with the way the men are bringing up the first child she had for them.
Becky said: “We have been jokingly saying that this is my BOGOF baby – have one and get one for free. For six years I’ve seen what exceptional fathers they are – and have become part of their extended family.
“I’ve had lots of other couples approach me to have babies for them, offering me full expenses, which under UK law could be anything up to £15,000.
“But it isn’t about making money. For me, it’s about giving a deserving couple a longed-for, much-loved family.”
Becky is now 30 weeks pregnant with her seventh baby and has given birth to five surrogates, as well as a son of her own. She had a baby for the couple six years ago using her own eggs. She added: “I don’t get paid. In all surrogacies I’ve only asked for my expenses, on average £5,000.
“But this time, as the dads are exceptional fathers, I’ve agreed to give them a sibling for no expenses whatsoever for their daughter.
“I don’t know of any other surrogate who has agreed to do this but we share an amazing bond. We are like family. So it’s exceptional circumstances.”
Becky first became a surrogate in 2010 when son Levi was seven months. She said: “I decided to be a surrogate one day as I couldn’t imagine not being able to have a child of your own to love. Levi is my world.”
The gay dads, from the South of England, who do not wish to be identified, called Becky “Aunty” from the moment their first child with her was born. Becky, of Sudbury, Suffolk, added: “Every day since her birth they have sent messages and photos.
“In the past six years, their girl has asked me many times if she can have a brother or sister. She’s so sweet. How could I refuse?”
Becky previously stepped in to have baby Logan-john for Benita and Mark Cutter, who were fleeced out of £8,307 in a surrogate con.